Vehicle navigation system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation system that uses a portable information terminal. The navigation system displays route guidance information by receiving GPS satellite radio waves, and includes a navigation unit that generates route guidance information, a meter panel of a meter unit, which displays only part of the route guidance information, and a display panel of the navigation unit, which displays every selected item of the route guidance information. The meter panel of the meter unit is disposed within the visual field of the driver when in driving the vehicle. On the other hand, the display panel of the navigation unit is disposed outside of the visual field of the driver when in driving the vehicle. The resulting configuration provides a vehicle navigation system that can provide the driver with the minimum necessary information when driving the vehicle, along with additional detailed information when needed, combined in a system that affords excellent operability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 toJapanese Patent Application No. 2001-083182, filed on Mar. 22, 2001, theentire contents thereof are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation system.More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle navigationsystem that uses a portable information terminal (hereinafter, to bereferred to as “PDA”).

[0004] 2. Description of Background Art

[0005] In recent years, many vehicles use vehicle navigation systemsthat guide the drivers to their goals on a map on which the currentposition of the vehicle is displayed respectively. Such navigationsystems are realized by combining a global positioning system (GPS) andmap information.

[0006] Conventionally, vehicle navigation systems have been developedmainly for four-wheel cars. In recent years, however, it is underexamination whether or not it is possible to install these systems alsoin small cars such as auto-bicycles, irregular ground buggies, etc. Forexample, the official gazette of Published Unexamined Patent ApplicationNo. 11-321754 discloses an auto-bicycle in which a navigation system isinstalled.

[0007] Conventional navigation systems have employed large displayscreens so as to provide the drivers with as much information aspossible. For such small vehicles as auto-bicycles, etc., therefore, ithas been difficult to secure a space for mounting such a display panelin the visual field of the driver.

[0008] In order to solve such the technical problem, the officialgazette of Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 11-14391 or No.10-122885 proposes a method that displays only the minimum necessaryinformation, such as a direction of and a distance to a goal, in a smallarea of the vehicle meter panel as in a small portable GPS unit.

[0009] According to the above-described conventional techniques,operation switches must be disposed in a limited area on or around themeter panel, making the units difficult to operate. This, then, presentsanother problem with conventional devices.

[0010] In addition, because it is difficult to provide the driver withenough information on the above-described rough display, the navigationsystem must be able to prepare a dedicated map on which longitude andlatitude lines are described in detail, and further, must also provide aportable GPS unit to let the driver know his/her current position withaccuracy.

[0011] Under such circumstances, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a vehicle navigation system with excellentoperability that can provide the driver with the minimum necessary routeguidance information when driving the vehicle, thus solving theconventional technical problems described above.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle navigationsystem of the present invention that displays route guidance informationby receiving GPS satellite radio waves is provided with following means:

[0013] (1) A first display block that displays only part of routeguidance information, and a second display block that displays everyselected item of the route guidance information.

[0014] (2) A first display block that displays the route guidanceinformation roughly, and a second display block that displays the routeguidance information in detail.

[0015] According to the features described in (1) and (2), the firstdisplay block displays only indispensable information selected fromamong the mass of route guidance information items, while the seconddisplay block displays other information items and detailed information.As a result, the space of the first display block can be minimized.Consequently, the first display block can be disposed in the visualfield of the driver with no obstacle between them, and the seconddisplay block can be formed so as to display detailed information thatwill overflow the first display block.

[0016] Further scope of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.However, it should be understood that the detailed description andspecific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an astride type buggy car used forirregular grounds, with a vehicle navigation system of the presentinvention installed therein;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a navigation box with its cover opened;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a navigation system;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a top view of a display panel in a configuration;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a display example of a meter panel;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a display example (title screen) of a display panel of anavigation unit;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a display example (map guidance screen) of the displaypanel of the navigation unit;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a display example (satellite location screen) of thenavigation unit;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a display example (latitude/longitude display screen) ofthe navigation unit;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a display example (guidance with arrows display screen)of the navigation unit;

[0028]FIG. 11 is a display example (framed map guidance screen) of thenavigation unit;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a side view of an auto-bicycle in which the navigationsystem of the present invention is installed;

[0030]FIG. 13 is a rear front view of the auto-bicycle shown in FIG. 12;

[0031]FIG. 14 is a top view of a meter panel of the auto-bicycle shownin FIG. 12;

[0032]FIG. 15 is a display example (radio operation screen) of thesub-panel;

[0033]FIG. 16 is a display example (audio operation screen) of thesub-panel;

[0034]FIG. 17 is a display example (warning screen) of the sub-panel;and

[0035]FIG. 18 is a display example (warning screen) of the sub-panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1shows a perspective view of an astride type buggy car 100 used forirregular grounds. The vehicle navigation system of the presentinvention is installed in the buggy car 100. The buggy car 100 providedwith large-diameter wheels 101, an under-cover 102, a four-wheel drivingmechanism, etc., is excellent in hill-climbing and running properties.

[0037] A meter unit 107 is disposed in the center of handlebars 106 anda helical GPS receiving antenna 103 is erected from the top of the meterunit 107. Since the astride type buggy car 100 is often used onirregular grounds, the car 100 changes its posture bewilderingly when ina running state. For this reason, a helical receiving antenna 103 with awide orientation is employed. With a helical receiving antenna, GPSradio waves can be received satisfactorily regardless of the posturechanges of the vehicle.

[0038] A front carrier 104 and a rear carrier 108 are disposed at thefront side and at the rear side of the car 100 respectively. Anavigation box 105 (to be described later) is mounted in the backwardupper portion of the front carrier 104.

[0039]FIG. 2 shows a navigation box 105 with its cover 1051 opened. Acushion material (not shown) is put up all over the inner walls of thebox 105 and a navigation unit 1 is housed in the box 105. Thisnavigation unit 1 is a portable information terminal, such as a portablePDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a lap-top PC, or the like in which anavigation program is downloaded.

[0040] A relay unit 2 is connected to the navigation box 105. The relayunit 2 includes a multiple-pole connector 24 at one end. The connector24 is connected/disconnected to/from an I/O port 17 of the navigationunit 1. The navigation unit 1 can be removed from the navigation box 105by disconnecting the connector 24 of the relay unit 2 from the I/O port17 and unfastening a predetermined fastening mechanism.

[0041] Consequently, the navigation unit 1 can be connected to theconnector 24 so as to be used as a navigation system when in driving.Alternatively, the navigation unit 1 can be disconnected from theconnector 24 so as to be used as a normal portable information terminalin other occasions.

[0042] Furthermore, when this portable information terminal is combinedwith a handy GPS or GPS smart antenna, or when a GPS-installed PDA isemployed as the navigation unit 1, the terminal can be used as a smallGPS unit.

[0043] The navigation box 105 should preferably have a size large enoughto house a PDA, a lap-top PC, and A4/B5-size regular files.

[0044] In this example, the navigation unit 1 is housed in thenavigation box 105 so that it is secure from robbery. Also, whenappropriate, however, the unit can be removed from the box and used as aportable unit. The navigation unit 1 is also usable as a multi-functioninformation terminal. As such, it can be used to store address lists,and dictionaries, etc.

[0045] Because an electrical junction between the navigation unit 1 andthe navigation box 105 is located in the box 105, it is protected fromcontamination and damages by rain, wind, dust, and other elements.

[0046]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a navigation system installed inthe astride type buggy car 100. The same reference numerals are given tothe same components as those described above.

[0047] The navigation system in this example includes a portablenavigation unit 1 housed in the navigation box 105; a meter panel 3 thatroughly displays part of route guidance information obtained from thenavigation system; a relay unit 2 for connecting the navigation unit 1to the meter panel 3; and a GPS receiver 4 that receives GPS radio wavesvia a receiving antenna 103 and translates received waves to electricalsignals.

[0048] In the navigation unit 1, the navigation program storage 13stores a navigation program. A CPU 10 executes the navigation programunder the control of a control program stored in a ROM 11. A RAM 12 isused as a work area of the CPU 10.

[0049] A display controller 15 includes a rough display controller 15 aand a map display controller 15 b. The meter panel 3 of the meter unit107 receives only the minimum necessary rough information, such as adirection of and a distance to each goal among the various kinds ofroute guidance information items obtained in accordance with theexecution of the navigation program via an interface 14, the I/O port17, and the relay unit 2.

[0050] The map information controller 15 b displays all the selectedroute guidance information items, such as detailed map information,etc., obtained in accordance with the execution of the navigationprogram.

[0051] The relay unit 2 includes connection terminals for a digitalcamera 22 and a portable phone/PHS 23. The relay unit 2 functions as adata path between the navigation unit 1 and the meter panel 3/GPSreceiver 4. Relay unit 2 also functions to transfer image dataphotographed by the digital camera 22 to the navigation unit, andfurther, functions to transfer data collected by the navigation unit 1from a portable phone/PHS 23 to a predetermined base station throughradio communications.

[0052]FIG. 4 shows a top view of the meter panel 3 of the meter unit 107in a configuration. The meter panel 3 includes a speed display area 61;a running distance display area 63 that functions as both of an odometerand a trip meter; a sensitivity display area 62 used to display thereceiving status of the GPS radio waves; and a direction display area 64used to display a direction of a relay point (way point: WP) roughly in16 points. The running distance display area 63 displays a roughdistance up to a way point WP exclusively from the running distance.

[0053] The meter panel 3 further includes a “MODE” switch 65 used toswitch among operation modes of the navigation system; a “WPT” switch 66used to register the current position of the subject car as a new waypoint WP; and an “INC” switch 67 a and a “DEC” switch 67 b used toselect a desired WP from among a plurality of registered WPs. Otherdisplay items are not necessary to understand the present invention, sothe description for them will be omitted here.

[0054] When the navigation system in such a configuration is powered,the navigation program in the navigation unit 1 is started up. Thenavigation system then begins route guidance. When in a running state,the meter unit 107 displays the minimum necessary route guidanceinformation such as the direction of and the distance to a currentlyselected way point WP. The meter unit 107 also receives sensitivitystatus of the GPS radio waves among various kinds of guidanceinformation items, received from the display controller 15 and the roughdisplay controller 15 a.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, meter panel 3 of the meter unit 107 displaysthe receiving sensitivity status in the sensitivity display area 62, anidentification number “1” of the way point WP and a distance “1,23(miles)” up to the way point WP1 in the running distance display area63, and a direction of the way point WP1 in the direction display area64 respectively, according to the received information.

[0056] On the other hand, when the driver wants to refer to furtherdetailed map information, the driver can stop the car and open thenavigation box 105 to start up the detailed display of the navigationunit 1.

[0057] The display panel 16 of the navigation unit 1 displays a titlescreen as shown in FIG. 6, then a map navigation screen with a runningtrace as shown in FIG. 7. An arrow N8 in FIG. 6 denotes a position andrunning direction of the subject car and the running trace is displayedwith a dot N9.

[0058] The display panel 16 can also display a satellite location map asshown in FIG. 8, as well as both longitude and latitude lines fordenoting the position of the car as shown in FIG. 9 in accordance withthe driver's operation of the navigation unit 1.

[0059] The route guidance that uses way points as described above willtherefore be especially effective when the buggy car 100 is dispatchedto a disaster-stricken site for state checking, or to a recovery works,for example.

[0060] Often, rescue members, etc. dispatched to a disaster-strickensite/recovery working site may not be familiar with geographicalinformation of the area. In addition, when the disaster is a seriousone, the scene might be changed completely, making it difficult toidentify the target position accurately. At such a disaster-strickensite, the rescue staff may be required to take an unavoidable detourroute on the way back, since the outward traffic may be blocked.

[0061] Even in such a case, on the way back the driver will be able torefer to the direction display area 64 and the running distance displayarea 63 on the meter panel 3 to easily recognize both the distance to,and the direction of, each way point registered on the way forward. Thedriver can thus return to each way point on the way back, then to thestarting point via the detour route.

[0062] Furthermore, when it is difficult for the driver to go to a waypoint displayed in the direction display area 64 of the meter panel 3,the driver can refer to the detailed map information displayed on thedisplay panel 16 of the navigation unit 1. With this capability, thedriver can examine detour routes to each way point, and determine theway back to the starting point.

[0063] On the other hand, when the driver removes the navigation unit 1from the navigation box 105 and carries it with him/her, either aguidance screen with arrows as shown in FIG. 10, or a framed mapguidance screen as shown in FIG. 11, can be displayed.

[0064] The guidance screen with arrows shown in FIG. 10 displays anarrow N1 and a dot mark N2 for denoting the direction of a way point; away point name N3; a long-range distance number N4 up to the way pointN4; and a graphic item N5 that displays a distance up to the way pointN4 as a bar graph. The framed map guidance screen shown in FIG. 11displays a large arrow N6 for both way point shape and moving directionand a small arrow N7 for the direction of each way point.

[0065] When a general-purpose portable PDA used as the navigation unit 1is connected to the navigation system removably and used for theirregular ground buggy car 100, the system will be used more effectivelyat disaster-stricken sites/recovery working sites.

[0066] Generally, when the buggy car 100 is sent out to adisaster-stricken site, image data of the site photographed by thedigital camera 22 is transferred to the navigation unit 1 via the relayunit 2. The navigation unit 1 transfers image data with position anddate/time information of the photographed site added thereto to theheadquarters, etc., from the portable phone/PHS 23 by using its ownnavigation function. Consequently, the necessary information can berecognized quickly and in detail.

[0067] Information related to the photographing date and time can beadded to the image data so that the trace data stored in the navigationsystem, and thus the date-and-time information can be collated with eachother. This feature is useful, for instance, in identifying thephotographing point.

[0068] In this example, the navigation unit 1 can be removed from thevehicle body and carried by a rescue member. As such, it is possible todrive the buggy car 100 up to a place close to the target site, andremove the navigation unit 1 from the car 100, so that the rescue membercan carry the unit 1 with him/her to go to the site. The removednavigation unit 1 may be connected to a general-purpose PDA and a handyGPS/GPS smart antenna, or to a GPS-installed PDA so that the navigationunit 1 is provided with all the navigation functions. The user can thusgo forward under the guidance of the navigation system and send thedisaster-stricken site image photographed by the digital camera 22 tothe headquarters as in the case described above.

[0069] While the navigation box 105 is mounted on the front carrier 104of the vehicle 100 in the above example, the navigation box 105 may bemounted on the rear carrier 108 or around the driver's seat.

[0070] In this example, the system is provided with two display panelsthat share the main functions of the navigation system. The meter panel3 of the vehicle displays only the minimum necessary information, suchas the direction of and the direction to each relay point (WP), and theGPS wave receiving sensitivity status for the driver. It is thuspossible to reduce the display space. On the other hand, because thedisplay panel 16 of the navigation unit 1 housed in the navigation box105 can display detailed map information, the driver can obtain both ofrough and detailed information items.

[0071] Furthermore, according to this example, the navigation unit 1 canbe removed from the vehicle, so that the navigation unit 1 can be usedeffectively.

[0072]FIG. 12 shows a side view of an auto-bicycle 200 in which thenavigation system of the present invention is installed.

[0073] The vehicle in this example includes a horizontally opposed6-cylinder engine 201. An exhaust manifold 211 is led out from theengine 201 to the rear and this exhaust manifold 211 is connected to amuffler 212.

[0074] The front wheel FW is supported rotationally at the lower end ofa front fork 202. The front part of the vehicle is covered by a frontfairing (cowl) 203 and a wind screen 204 is provided on the top surface.The driver's seat 206 and a fellow passenger seat 207 are disposed inthe rear of a fuel tank 205.

[0075] The fellow passenger seat 207 with a back rest 208 is united withthe driver's seat 206. A rear trunk 210 is provided at the rear side ofthe back rest 208. Side trunks 210L and 210R are provided in the lowerportion of the rear trunk 210 and at the both sides of the rear wheelsRW. In this example, the navigation unit 1 is housed in the rear trunk210.

[0076]FIG. 13 shows a rear front view of the vehicle 200. In FIG. 13,the same reference numerals are given to the same and equivalent itemsdescribed above.

[0077] In this vehicle, the cover of the trunk 210 is opened upward andthe covers 220L and 220R of the side trunks 210L and 210R are opened tothe side respectively. Each of the trunks 210, 210L, and 210R arelocked/unlocked by turning an engine key inserted in a key cylinder 221located at the trunk 210.

[0078] Three opening/closing levers 23L, 23C, and 23R are provided inthe lower portion of the rear trunk 210. Each of those levers 23L, 23C,and 23R is operated after the rear trunk 210 is unlocked so as to openthe cover 220L of the side trunk 210L, the cover 220 of the rear trunk210, and the cover 220R of the side trunk 210R.

[0079]FIG. 14 shows a top view of the meter panel 230 of theauto-bicycle 200 from the driver's seat 206 side. A GPS rough displayblock 230 a is united with the meter panel 230 in the lower portion ofthe panel 230.

[0080] A speed meter 110 is provided in the center of the meter panel230 and a tachometer 120 is provided at the left side of the speedmeter. And, a fuel gauge 130 and an engine temperature gauge 140 aredisposed at the right of the speed meter 110 respectively. Winkerindicators 170 and 171 are disposed at both sides above the speed meter110.

[0081] At the speed meter 110 are disposed an oil indicator 111, asecurity indicator 112, a high beam indicator light 113, a light volumesensor 114 for the meter 110, an ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warninglight 115, and an FI (fuel injection) warning light 116 together. Anauto-cruising indicator light 131 and an auto-cruising set indicatorlight 132, a transmission reverse indicator light 141, a neutralindicator light 142, and an over-drive indicator light 143 are disposedin a vertical line between the fuel indicator 130 and the enginetemperature gauge 140.

[0082] Furthermore, a light blink indicator 144 is disposed at the leftside of each indicator light of the transmission and a fuel emptyindicator 145 is disposed at the right side. A clock 121 is disposed inthe lower portion of the tachometer 120.

[0083] A sub-panel 160 is disposed in the center of the GPS roughdisplay block 230 a and the “WPT” switch, the “INC” switch, and the“DEC” are disposed in the lower portion of the block 230 a just like thebuggy car 100.

[0084] On the sub-panel 160 of the auto-bicycle 200, the sensitivitydisplay area 62 displays the receiving sensitivity status of the GPSradio waves, in a manner similar to that in the buggy car 100. Thedirection display area 64 displays the direction of a way point, and therunning distance display area 63 displays “1” as an identificationnumber of the way point and “1.23 (miles)” as the distance up to the waypoint WP respectively. When the navigation system operation is disabled,the sub-panel 160 displays the radio operation screen shown in FIG. 15,or alternatively, the audio operation screen shown in FIG. 16.

[0085] In this example, a sensor monitors whether or not each trunkcover is opened/closed. For example, when all the covers 220, 220L, and220R are kept opened, the warning screen shown in FIG. 1 is displayed.When only the cover 220R of the right side trunk 210R is kept opened,the warning screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. Each warning screencan break into the display of the sub-panel 160 whether the navigationsystem is operating or not.

[0086] In this example, when the car 100 passes a preset way point, thedriver can trace the predetermined running route simply by referring tothe sub-panel 160. When passing a non-preset way point, however, thedriver is requested to refer to the navigation unit 1 housed in the reartrunk 220 to obtain detailed information. Also in this case, the drivercan enjoy comfortable touring without losing his/her way.

[0087] Furthermore, when image data photographed by the digital camera22 during running is transferred to the navigation unit 1 and stored soas to be related to the position information, it becomes easier toarrange these image data in order at a later time.

[0088] As described above, also in this example, the system is providedwith two display panels that share the main functions of the navigationsystem so that the sub-panel 160 of the vehicle displays only theminimum necessary information of the driver, thereby the display spacecan be minimized. On the other hand, the display panel 16 of thenavigation unit 1 displays detailed map information, so that the drivercan obtain both of rough and detailed information.

[0089] In each of the above examples, the present invention has appliedto the buggy car 100 and the large auto-bicycle 200. However, thepresent invention may also apply to smaller vehicles, such as scooters,so long as the vehicle is provided with two display panels, one displaypanel being disposed in the driver's visual field, and the other beinghoused in the navigation box.

[0090] When the present invention applies to a scooter, the navigationunit 1 may be housed in a housing space secured under the driver's seat,which is also used as the cover of the driver's seat or in a pocketequivalent to the navigation box, provided at the driver's seat side inthe leg shield block. Otherwise, the navigation unit 1 may be housed ina glove compartment disposed between the cowling extended from the frontto the rear of the vehicle and the car body.

[0091] According to the present invention, the first display block spacecan be reduced. This is the result of the system having two displayblocks that share the main functions of the navigation system, whereinthe first display block displays only the minimum necessary informationof the driver during running, and the second display block displaysother and detailed information. Consequently, the first display blockcan be disposed in the visual field of the driver with no obstaclestherebetween, and the second display block can display detailedinformation that will overflow the first display block.

[0092] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A vehicle navigation system that displays route guidance informationby receiving GPS satellite radio waves, comprising: a navigation unitthat generates said route guidance information; a first display blockthat displays only part of said route guidance information; and a seconddisplay block that displays every selected item of said route guidanceinformation.
 2. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1,wherein said first display block is disposed within a visual field ofthe driver when driving said vehicle, and said second display block isdisposed outside of said visual field of said driver when driving saidvehicle.
 3. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, whereinsaid first display block displays at least either a distance of or adirection to a predetermined goal.
 4. The vehicle navigation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said first display block is part of avehicle meter panel.
 5. The vehicle navigation system according to claim1, wherein said route guidance information displayed on said seconddisplay block includes map information.
 6. The vehicle navigation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said navigation unit is a portableinformation terminal in which a navigation program is installed, andsaid second display block is a display panel of said portableinformation terminal.
 7. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 6, wherein said navigation unit is housed in a container with acover.
 8. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 6, whereinsaid navigation unit is fixed at said vehicle so as to be removedmechanically and connected to said first display block so as to beturned on/off electrically.
 9. The vehicle navigation system accordingto claim 7, wherein said container with a cover is fixed on or around acarrier of said vehicle.
 10. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 7, wherein said container with a cover is an existing trunkprovided at the rear or at a side of said vehicle.
 11. The vehiclenavigation system according to claim 7, wherein said container with acover is a housing box provided under a seat of said vehicle and enabledto be used as said cover.
 12. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 7, wherein said container with a cover is a leg shielding pocketwith a cover, provided on the driver side wall of a leg shield extendeddownward from the handlebars of a scooter.
 13. The vehicle navigationsystem according to claim 7, wherein said container with a cover is aglove compartment disposed between a cowling extended to the rear fromthe front of said vehicle and the body of said vehicle.
 14. A vehiclenavigation system that displays route guidance information by receivingGPS satellite radio waves, comprising: a navigation unit that generatessaid route guidance information; a first display block that displayssaid route guidance information roughly; and a second display block thatdisplays said route guidance information in detail.
 15. The vehiclenavigation system according to claim 14, wherein said first displayblock is disposed within a visual field of the driver when driving saidvehicle, and said second display block is disposed outside of saidvisual field of said driver when driving said vehicle.
 16. The vehiclenavigation system according to claim 14, wherein said first displayblock displays at least either a distance of or a direction to apredetermined goal.
 17. The vehicle navigation system according to claim14, wherein said first display block is part of a vehicle meter panel.18. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 14, wherein saidroute guidance information displayed on said second display blockincludes map information.
 19. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 14, wherein said navigation unit is a portable informationterminal in which a navigation program is installed, and said seconddisplay block is a display panel of said portable information terminal.20. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 19, wherein saidnavigation unit is housed in a container with a cover.
 21. A vehiclenavigation system that displays route guidance information by receivingGPS satellite radio waves, comprising: a navigation unit that generatessaid route guidance information; a first display block that displaysonly part of said route guidance information; and a second display blockthat displays every selected item of said route guidance information;wherein the second display block display information that overflows fromthe first display block.
 22. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 21, wherein said first display block is disposed within a visualfield of the driver when driving said vehicle, and said second displayblock is disposed outside of said visual field of said driver whendriving said vehicle.
 23. The vehicle navigation system according toclaim 21, wherein said navigation unit is a portable informationterminal in which a navigation program is installed, and said seconddisplay block is a display panel of said portable information terminal.